November 08, 2017

Stallman named Delta Leadership Institute Fellow

by Pete Rosenbery

Karen StallmanCARBONDALE, Ill. — A Southern Illinois University Carbondale staff member is among five people from Southern Illinois selected as a Delta Regional Authority 2017-18 Delta Leadership Institute Fellow. 

Karen Stallman of Ellis Grove, director of community relations in University Communications and Marketing, was among those selected by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Delta Regional Authority (DRA) leadership. The leadership institute’s 10-month executive academy allows participants to help further their skills in community leadership and policy development to promote regional collaboration and local economic growth across the authority’s eight-state region, according to a news release. There are 52 people participating from Illinois, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. 

A federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000, the DRA’s goal is to “help create jobs, build communities and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development and infrastructure projects in 252 counties and parishes.” The DRA has provided leadership development to nearly 500 community leaders, according to the release. 

The other four leadership institute fellows from Illinois are: Tiffany George, Villa Ridge, executive director, Southern Five Regional Planning District & Development Commission; Tom Harness, Carterville, Tom Harness Digital Marketing; Jenny Pruitt, Broughton, district aide for U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Belleville; and Mark York, Equality, finance chair, Gallatin County Board. 

The five fellows from Illinois will attend six sessions across the region, each visiting the eight states within the DRA. They will engage in policy and program development, advocacy training, case-study discussions and on-the-ground field experiences aligned with DRA’s priorities for the region. Those priorities include transportation and infrastructure; workforce training and education; entrepreneurship and disaster resilience for small businesses and communities; public health; policy and governance; and culture and tourism. 

Stallman, a double alumna of the university, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education. She came to the university in 2013.